Proportioner



P 13, 1951 A. J. GRANBERG 2,567,997

PROPORTIONER Filed n 5. 194 :5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVHV TOR.

ALBERT J. GRANSERG B I 1 W ATTORNEY Sept. 18, 1951 A. J. G ANBERG PROPORTIONER Filed June 5, 1945 ALBERT J. GRAB/BERG A T TORNEY Sept. 18, 1951 A. J. GRANBERG PROPORTIONER 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed June 5, 1945 INVENTOR. LBERT J. GRANBERG WWW A 7' TORNEY Patented ept. 18 19 51:

assist I rltoronrrom Albert J. Granberg, Oakland, Calif. Application June 5, 1945, Serial No. 597,103

1 Claim. (Cl. 103-418) My invention relates to equipment for mixing flowing materials in desired proportions, and more particularly to a proportioning system and apparatus for supplying a. fire extinguishing agent or chemical for mixing with water during extinguishing of fires.

Among the objects of my invention are:

(1) To provide a novel and improved system and apparatus for mixing flowing materials in desired proportions;

(2) To provide a novel and improved system and apparatus for adding an ingredient in desired proportion to a flowing material;

(3) To provide a novel and improved fire extinguishing system and apparatus;

(4) To provide a novel and improved fire extinguishing system and apparatus wherein a fire extinguishing agent may be added in desired and adjustable amounts;

(5) To provide a novel and improved fire extinguishing system having a plurality of spaced branch outlets, such system including apparatus for introducing a fire extinguishing agent in a manner which will assure the desired proportion to each branch outlet;

(6) To provide a novel and improved fire extinguishing system and apparatus having means for cleaning and drying the same to preclude impairment of operation through clogging or freezing;

(7) To provide a novel and improved proportioner for use in a system for adding an ingredient in desired proportion to a flowing material;

(8) To provide a novel and improved proportioner for use in a system for adding an ingredient in desired proportion to a flowing material, wherein the flowing material constitutes the source of power for operating the proportioner.

Additional objects of my invention will be brought out in the following description of a preferred embodiment of the-same, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein- Figure 1 is a view depicting the system of my invention in its preferred form and as incorporated into a fire extinguishing system;

, Figure 2 is a view in section, through the proportioner of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a view taken in the plane 3-3 of m re 2;

Figure 4 is,'a view taken in the plane 4-4 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a view taken in the plane l-5 of Figure 2;

Figure 6 is a view of a detail of the proportioner;

Figure '7 is a view in section, taken in the plane 1-! of Figure 6.

-As previously indicated, the preferred embodiment is illustrated in the drawings in the form of a fire extinguishing system, and will be described as such, though it is to be noted'that the inven-' f tion is not to be limited to its use as a fire extinguishing system and apparatus but is susceptible to a wide range of applications. When employed as a fire extinguishing system, the invention has for its purpose to add to the water employed in the extinguishment of a fire, a fire extinguishing agent such as a protein, in a desired ratio which will produce most eificient results.

The heart of the system lies in what I prefer to term the proportioner I which comprises a hydraulic motor 3 having an inlet 5 and an outlet 1, and an adjustable pump 9 in driving connection with the hydraulic motor and having an inlet II and an outlet l3.

The system comprises a main line l5 for conducting water from a reservoir or other source (not shown) to any one or more of a plurality of branch lines l1, and includes a main pump IQ for pumping water through the main line at ajdesired pressure, and the hydraulic motor 3 of the proportioner, the water being pumped through the main line constituting the motive power for the hydraulic motor.

The system further embodies an auxiliary line II for feeding a fire extinguishing chemical or agent, from a suitable source or reservoir 23 through a manually operable shut-01f valve 24 to some point in the main line l5, for mixing with the water flowing in the main line. In the specific embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, this auxiliary lin connects to the main line on the suction side of the main pump l9. While this is the preferred method of connecting the auxiliary line to the main line, under certain circumstances it may be desirable to connect the auxiliary line 2| to the main line IS on the discharge side of the hydraulic motor 3, as indicated by the dotted line showing in Figure 1. Such would be the case where the hydraulic motor is connected to a hydrant instead of a pump. Under these conditions, a check valve 25 in the auxiliary line would be called for, to preclude the contents of the main line from backing up into the auxiliary line.

Included in this auxiliary line, is the adjustable pump 3, whose output thereby becomes a function of the flow through the hydraulic motor 3 in the main line, inasmuch as it is driven by the hydraulic motor in accordance with flow conditions in the main line,

Aflixed to the proportioner pump 9, is an indicator 27 which may be suitably calibrated and made responsive to pump adjustments, to indicate such adjustments, preferably in terms of a ratio which designates the proportion of ingredient being added to the water.

For specific details of construction of the proportioner, reference will be made to Figures 2 spams? through 'I, wherein the working components are all shown to be enclosed within a common sectional casing 29.

The hydraulic motor comprises the lower half of the proportioner, and includes a pair of horizonally disposed side walls 3| and 33 spaced by an intermediate section 35 to form the motor housing. This intermediate section is designed to provide a cylindrical interior chamber 31 in communication with the inlet and outlet 1, both integrally formed as part of the intermediate section.

The lower side wall 3| is provided with an eccentrically located shaft opening 39, while the upper side wall is formed with a large central opening II which is adapted to be closed by a cap plate 43 having a shaft opening 45 in alignment with that in the lower side plate 3|.

The motor housing encloses a rotor 41 having a hub 49 keyed to a motor drive shaft 5| which is mounted in suitable bearings 53 and 55 disposed in the aforementioned shaft openings 39 and 45, respectively. This rotor includes a cylindrical peripheral rim 51 carried on a plurality of spokes 59 radiating from the hub, the rim being of a width comparable to the height of the chamber 31, while the rotor radius is such as to cause the rim 51 to tangentially approach the wall of the cylindrical chamber 31 at a point between the inlet 5 and outlet 1.

Each of the spokes 59 is formed with a deep radial slot 5| extending through the rim 51 for th reception of a rotor blade 63, each such blade being pivotally anchored on a pin 65 which in turn, terminates at each end in an arcuate segment i1 slidably disposed in a circular channel 59 whose center of curvature coincides with the axis of the cylindrical chamber 31' of the motor.

In the lower side wall 3| of the motor, the channel is formed in the wall itself, while in the upper side of the motor housing, the channel is formed between the rim of the opening II and a circular concentrically disposed flange 1I extending from the cap plate 43.

Th pump 9 is of somewhat similar construction as the hydraulic motor just described, though of smaller capacity. The lower and upper side walls 13 and 15, respectively, of the pump are spaced by an intermediate section 11 forming part of the pro'portioner casing. Like in connection with the hydraulic motor, this intermediate section defines with the side walls, a cylindrical chamber 19, and includes the inlet II and outlet I3 formed integral therewith.

The lower side wall of the pump is provided with an elongated shaft opening 8|, eccentrically disposed with respect to the central axis of the pump chamber. A pump shaft bearing 83 depends through this opening and is supported in that position by an upper supporting flange 85. Through this bearing, extends the pump shaft 81 to which is keyed a rotor 89 similar to that of the aforementioned hydraulic motor, differing only slightly in the matter of detail.

This rotor, accordingly, includes a cylindrical rim 9| supportedirom a hub 93 by spokes 95, which in turn are formed with radial slots 91 through the rim to slidably receive rotor blades99. Each blade is pivotallyflxed by means of a pin III in one edge entering an arcuate segment I93 which is slidably disposed in a circular channel I95 formed in the upper side wall concentrically with the axis of the chamber.

For maximum capacity in any such assembly employing a rotor of the type described, the rotor rim should tangentially engage the cylindrical wall of the chamber at a location between the inlet and the outlet as illustrated in the drawings. Any shifting of the rotor away from such tangential relationship causes a t -ease in the maximum volume of the compartments defined by the blades on the input side, thereby resulting in a corresponding decrease in the capacity of the assembly. The elongated shaft opening 8| in the lower side wall of the pump permits of such shifting of the pump rotor whereby the effective capacity of the pump may be altered within limits.

The pump 9 is mounted above the hydraulic motor 3 by providing the intermediate section 11 of the pump housing with a depending apron I91 which is flanged for bolting to the upper' edge of an upstanding cylindrical wall I99 which is formed integrally with the upper side wall of the hydraulic motor housing.

This manner of supporting the pump above the hydraulic motor provides a chamber III between the pump and the motor within which I house a coupling II3 for drive connecting the motor shaft 5| to the pump shaft 81, and such mechanism cooperating therewith for adjusting the eccentric position of the pump shaft and its associated rotor 99 to alter the pump capacity as previously described.

The coupling between the motor shaft and the pump shaft comprises a gear I I5 at the upper end of the motor shaft, and a like gear H1 at the adjacent end of the pump shaft, such gears being interconnected by a pinion II9 held in operating position between a pair of end plates III and I23. Each plate is carried by one of the shafts 5| or 31, preferably being pivotally anchored about the bearings associated with such shafts. The pinion I I9 is preferably mounted between these plates by having an axial shaft I24 passing through the end of plate I23, while at its opposite end, the pinion is formed with an axial extension I25 passing through the end of the other plate I2I and engaging in a groove I21 of limited scope formed in the upper face of the cap plate 43. This groove is so located as to hold the pinion on a line substantially normal to the direction in which shifting of the pump rotor 89 must be effected in order to alter its effective capacity. With the pinion so disposed, a slight relative displacement of the gears H5 and H1, which must of necessity accompany any adjustment qf the pump capacity, will not bring about disengagement of the pinion from its position in the gear train, but will enable it to maintain itself in mesh with such gears.

Adjustment of the position of eccentricity of the pump rotor 89 may be accomplished through the medium of a shift plate I29 which at one end encircles the pump shaft bearing 83 and is held in pressure engagement against the undersurface of the lower side wall 13 of the pump, by a coil spring I3I disposed about the bearing under compression between the shift plate I29 and a flange I33 threadedly secured to the lower end of the bearing.

This control arm at its other end, is threaded to receive an adjusting screw I35 which extends through the wall I01 and the indicator 21, and carries at its exposed end, a control or adjusting knob I31. Suitable gasket means I39 surrounding the adjusting screw are maintained in pressure engagement against the wall at the point where the control screw passes through to the outside, by a compression spring Ill mounted on the screw behind the gasket means. Thus the passage through the wall and through which the adjusting screw passes to the outside, is sealed against leaks at this point.

It is apparent that any rotation of the adjusting screw I35 will cause lateral shifting of the pump shaft 81 and associated rotor 89 to alter the effective capacityof the pump,*without disengagbe in'terms of the ratios in which the fire extinguishing ingredient is added to the water.

Such ratios will not be afiected by any change in volume flow in the main line for the output of the pump 9, for any adjusted position of its rotor, will vary with the revolutions per minute of the hydraulic motor which drives the pump. This in turn is a function of the volume flow in the main line.

Leakage from the pump 9 into the coupling and control chamber III is not a disturbing factor. In fact, the coupling and control chamber might be permitted to fill up with drainage from the pump without materially affecting the functioning of the proportioner, such drainage as is present in this chamber following operation of the proportioner, being subsequently permitted to drain from the chamber through a drain pipe I53 leading from the chamber, and which may be provided with a manually controlled valve for the purpose.

A system of the character described, particularly when designed for use as a fire extinguishing system, must of necessity always be in condition for operation at a moments notice. Any permissible accumulation of sediment which may after a period of time tend to clog the working parts of the proportioner, or any permissible freezing of residual moisture, might readily impair the operation of the apparatus.

AccordingLv. with this in mind, I provide a valve-controlled flow connection I55 from the hydraulic motor chamber 31 to the pump coupling and control chamber I I I wherein such connection terminates in a flushing nozzle I51. Such connection, therefore, enables utilization of the forceful flow of water through the hydraulic motor in flushing the coupling and control chamher -I I I. During such flushing operation, the drain pipe leading from this chamber will, of course, preferably be open.

Also in this connection, the hydraulic motor chamber is provided with a drain pipe I59, the flushing of this chamber, of course, being accomplished through the normal flow of water through the motor under the pressure of the main pump.

It is understood, of course, that flushing of the proportioner does not take place until the flow from the reservoir 23 is shut off by the valve II, and the main line opened, preferably at some point on the discharge side of the motor 3, as by the disconnection of some coupling or the opening of one or more of the branch lines I].

Following such flushing operation, it, of course, becomes desirable to free the hydraulic motor of residual liquid, to preclude probable freezing and binding of the rotor and blades, and this I accomplish by providing means for cranking the proportioner. Such means may involve the adding of a bevel gear I8I to the lower extremity of the motor shaft 5| and maintaining in mesh therewith, a drive connection I83 extending through the base and terminating in a. square end I65 for application of a crank when it is desired to crank the device for the purpose in mind.

Under these conditions, the hydraulic motor functions as a blower, drawing air in, either through the open main line and blowing it out through the discharge pipe I59, or vice versa; depending on the direction in which the apparatus is cranked. The operation may be facilitated by also opening the main line on the input side of the hydraulic motor.

While thus engaged in the drying out of the hydraulic motor, it is also an advantage to dry out the pump 9. For this purpose, I provide in the auxiliary line at each side of the pump. a drain valve I61 and I69, one of which will act as an air inlet to the pump while the other provides for the discharge of such air and accompanying drainage.

From the foregoing description of my invention in its preferred form, it becomes apparent that the same is subject to alteration and modification, without departing from the underlying principles involved. I, accordingly, do not desire to be limited in my protection to the specific features and details illustrated and described, except as may be necessitated by the appended claim.

I claim:

A proportioner comprising an hydraulic motor having a drive shaft, a pump having a chamber and a rotor and shaft assembly disposed eccentrically wtih respect to the axis of said chamber but in substantial alignment with said drive shaft, means for adjusting the position of eccentricity of said rotor and shaft assembly toalter the capacity of said pump, and means coupling said hydraulic motor drive shaft to said pump shaft, said coupling means including a gear on each of said shafts at their adjacent ends and a pinion in mesh with both said ears and disposed on a line substantially normal to the path defined by said pump shaft during adjustment.

ALBERT J. GRANBERG.

REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Smethells July 13, 1875 Radley' June 25, 1895 Wisdom Jan. 21, 1913 Lowenthal Jan. 17, 1922 v Herman July 25, 1922 Gabrielson Aug. 15, 1922 Keil Mar. 31, 1931 Gamer Oct. 3, 1933 Kennedy July 30, 1935 Tears Jan. 21, 1938 Berggren Feb. 4, 1938 Poulter Dec. 22, 1938 C-o'berly May 25, 193'? Cleary -1 May 17, 1938 Moore Nov. 28, 1939 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date France Jan. 11. 1923 Number Number 

